Method and plant for separating a part from a carcass

Abstract

The invention provides a plant for separating a part from a carcass comprising a main conveyor (1) for transporting the carcass (2) hanging in a first meat-hook (4) the main conveyor. According to the invention a separate work station (3) is arranged near the main conveyor (1) for separating and forwarding the separated part. The work station comprises a second meat-hook (5) or the like for attachment to the part to be separated and means (6, 6') for moving the second meat-book. This movement may be determined arbitrarily either through a predetermined timing program controlling the moving means or directly by an operator.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for separating a part from a carcass, comprising: a main conveyor for transporting the carcass suspended from a first meat-hook on the main conveyor; a separate work station arranged near the main conveyor for separating and forwarding the separated part said work station comprising a second meat-hook for attaching in the part to be separated, means for moving the second meat-hook substantially in a direction away from the first meat-hook, such that the part is separated from the carcass without any other cutting action; and control means guiding selectively vertically and/or horizontally the movement of the second meat-hook.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separate work station comprises an adjustable support serving as an abutment against the carcass when separating the part. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving means comprises a linear robot having at least two degrees of freedom. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the work station comprises a separate conveyor portion for separating the part and transporting this to another work station. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a carrier is suspended from the conveyor portion for movement along therewith, said carrier comprising a support rail for supporting the second meat-hook, and hook stops arranged on the support rail for holding the second meat-hook and releasing it when docking at said other work station. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the carrier may be raised and lowered relative to the main conveyor independently of the horizontal component of the separation movement. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the carrier is suspended such that it may be rotated in a vertical plane independently of the other separation movement. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein two carriers are arranged on the conveyor portion, one carrier being active performing separation and transport, and the other carrier being passive and only returning to the main conveyor after having delivered a separated part at said other work station. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein several separate work stations are arranged at the main conveyor, each in an individually set angle to the main conveyor and individually controllable mode of operation. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to claim, wherein the main conveyor transports the carcasses at a certain speed during the separation, each work station following the main conveyor at essentially the same speed. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the part is separated from the carcass with assistance of other cutting action of mechanical cuts or by an operator, and said control means includes a predetermined timing program for controlling the moving means. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the work station comprises a separate conveyor portion for separating the part and transporting the part to another conveyor. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a carrier is suspended from the conveyor portion for movement along therewith, said carrier comprising a support rail for supporting the second meat-hook, and hook stops arranged on the support rail for holding the second meat-hook and releasing it when docking at said other conveyor. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the carrier may be raised and lowered relative to the main conveyor independently of the horizontal component of the separation movement. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the carrier is suspended such that it may be rotated in a vertical plane independently of the other separation movement. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein two carriers are arranged on the conveyor portion, one carrier being active performing separation and transport and the other carrier being passive and only returning to the main conveyor after having delivered a separated part at said other conveyor. 
     
     
       17. A method for separating a part from a carcass, comprising the steps of: transporting a carcass to a work station defined by a first meat-hook hanging from a main conveyor; attaching a second meat-hook in the part to be separated;   moving the second meat-hook essentially in a direction away from the first meat-hook such that the part is separated from the carcass without other cutting action, wherein the second meat-hook is selectively moved up and down vertically, as well as back and forth horizontally.   
     
     
       18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the movements of the second meat-hook is guided by a predetermined control means. 
     
     
       19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the movement of the second meat-hook is essentially in a vertical direction. 
     
     
       20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the movement of the second meat-hook is in a vertical direction and horizontal direction independent of each other. 
     
     
       21. A method according to claim 17, wherein the work station docks the second meat-hook carrying the separated part with a subsequent work station. 
     
     
       22. A method according to claim 17, wherein the main conveyor is driven essentially continuously at a certain speed, the work station following the main conveyor at essentially the same speed. 
     
     
       23. A method according to claim 17, wherein the work station docks the second meat-lock carrying the separated part with a subsequent conveyor. 
     
     
       24. A method for separating a part from a carcass, comprising the steps of: transporting a carcass to a work station defined by a first meat-hook hanging on a main conveyor;   attaching a second meat-hook in the part to be separated;   moving the second meat-hook essentially in a direction away from the first meat-hook, such that the part is separated from the carcass with assistance of other cutting action of mechanical cuts or by an operator, wherein the second meat-hook may be moved up and down vertically as well as back and forth horizontally.